Traffic signal



Nov. 19, 1929. w. J. PURCELL TRAFFI G S IGNAL Filed Dec. 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Wit I (am 'CT. Pu1"Cll M Kw 0 L w. ,1. PURCELL TRAFFIC SIGNAL Nov. 19, 1929;

F1153 Dec. 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WI'IIIIIII/I Inventor f KW 8+ Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. PURGELL, or na aatonn, INprn vn TRAFFIC SIGNAL Application filed December 15, 1928. Serial No. 326,357.

The present invention relates to a traffic signal for use in crossings, turning points in streets, roadways and the like for the general guidance and control of vehicular traflic without obstructing such traffic and it is an important object of the invention to provide a self righting traffic signal.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a signal device of this character which upon erection in a roadway may be collided with or run over by a passing vehicle without damage thereto or impairing its usefulness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal which may be permanently fixed to the roadway so as to warn operators of dangerous crossing, prohibited zones, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal of this nature which may be relatively cheaply constructed, having few parts which may be readily and easily replaced at small cost.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a tiltable or rockable sign of this nature which may be mounted directly in the roadway and which is of a compact construction admitting of accessibility to the parts and is provided with a highly novel structure which may be easily assembled and disassembled in its parts.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure '1 is a top plan view of a crossing or street intersection showing my improved sign at the center of the intersection,

Figure 2 is a transverse section through the intersection showing my signal in elevation,

Figure 3 is an elevation of the signal panel,

Figure 4 is an edge elevation thereof,

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the casing showing the panel fragmentarlly in elevation, I

Figure 6 is a vertical section therethrough taken substantially 0n the line 6 6 of Fig ure 5, i

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lower end of the panel, and i v Figure 8 is a transverse section through the casing taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 6. I

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the numeral 5 denotes an elongated casin taperingdownwardly adapted to be embeoded in the center ofthe street intersection and to be countersu nk. This casing includesfour Walls as is clearly illus trated in Figure 8 and is rectangular in cross section. At the bottom end ofthe casing 5 there is a cross pin 6 with which is engaged the lower end of a coil spring 7.

The lid or cover 8 is disposed over the upper end of the casing 5 and has depending flanges 9 fitting inside the upper portion of the casing to prevent play in the lid or cover when in place on the casing. A shaft 10 is journaled across the top of the casing in suitable notches 11 provided for the purpose in opposed side walls so as to extend in parallelism with the pin 6, and intermediate the ends of this shaft there is formed a crank 12 with which the upper end of the spring 7 is engaged.

A signal panel 14 is provided with a pair of spaced legs 15 at the bottom edge thereof straddling the upper end of the casing and fixed to the outer extremities of the shaft 10 by means of sleeves 16 suitably fixed to the shaft and preferably formed integral with the legs 15.

This panel has the name of the street writ ten thereon and the word Stop as indicated G to advantage in Figure 2 for the purpose of this art Without a more detailed description thereof.

The present embodiment of the invention, of course, has been disclosed in considerable detail merely for the purposes of exemplificat-ion since in actual practice it Will attain the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement ofthe invention and the above description.

It Will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any ofits advantages.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is:

A device of the class described including a downwardly tapering casing having a cross pin in the lower end thereof, and notches in the upper edge thereof, a shaft journaled in said notches across the upper end of the casing and having a crank at the center thereof, a spring engaged with the crank and the pin to normally hold the shaft in a predetermined position, a signal panel having a pair of spaced legs terminating in sleeves fixed to the extremities of the shaft, a lid disposed over the upper end of the casing and having depending fianges fitting inside the casing.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature. WVILLIAM J. PURCELL. 

